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Monday, 26 August 2013

Review: Invoking Animal Magic for the Pagan Priestess

When I'm going on a train journey I like to make sure I have a really interesting book to read. This summer I've been doing some freelance work in an office and the book that's been taking my mind off the delays, smells and general unpleasantness of the commute is Invoking Animal Magic: A guide for the pagan priestess.

It is one of those books you can dip into and read a section that's so full of interesting facts and ideas you'll be mulling it over for the rest of the day - or at least thinking about in those boring moments in an office when otherwise you'd be watching the clock.

Invoking Animal Magic is by Dianic tradition priestess Hearth Moon Rising and is all about animal facts and folklore and how this can be used within magical rituals and practical spellworking. It divides animals into creatures of the underworld such as snakes; creatures that live in womb-like caves such as bats; creatures of the soil - mice, creatures of the dreamworld, including bears; creatures of the night, such as owls; creatures of the long journey - frogs and toads that have the reputation of long lives; creatures of silence - spiders; creatures of transformation - rabbits and hares; and creatures of the night, especially dogs and wolves.

All of these animals are traditionally associated with witches. Hearth Moon Rising looks at explanations for this, including the specific associations certain animals have with goddesses from all over the world. Interspersed with mythology you can also learn how to call upon the powers of these creatures to help with spell work, personal development and even learn about the ancient magical art of shape-shifting.

Publisher Moon Books says on its website: "Invoking Animal Magic explores the power and wisdom of animal allies. More than a compilation of interesting facts—stories, folklore and animal behavior are integrated in a modern pagan perspective. Illustrations based on cave paintings and artifacts add a visual component to the text while thought-provoking questions and fun activities help ground the material in personal experience. Invoking Animal Magic offers an in-depth study of nine animals, each with an important place in Euro-paganism—their myths and legends, historical context and magical themes. Rituals and spells are also included in each section."

If you read Invoking Animal Magic I promise you that you won't look at a snake, spider or railway station-dwelling mouse the same ever again.